Boys basketball: Cherry, PL, Red Lake County, Grand Rapids qualify for state

MINNEAPOLIS — Three Northland programs will make repeat appearances in the boys state basketball tournament, and a fourth will return after nearly a decade.

The Cherry Tigers and Pequot Lakes Patriots will both make their fifth-straight trip to the Twin Cities, and the Red Lake County Rebels are making their second-straight and second-ever. The Grand Rapids Thunderhawks last played in the tourney in 2017.

The Patriots (28-1) earned the No. 2 seed in Class 2A after defeating Pierz 73-35 to win Section 7. That’s the best seeding in the team’s recent stretch of success, which includes two consolation championships.

They’ll play No. 7 Blake at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the University of Minnesota’s Williams Arena.

Do you know a North Star Student?

We want to recognize Northern MN students for their athletic accomplishments, artistic endeavors, academic achievements or other efforts.

Nominate a Student

Red Lake County (28-3) is again ranked third in Class A. It worked well for them last year; the Rebels came home with third-place medals. This year, they’ll face No. 6 Liberty Classical Academy in the first round at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the Target Center.

The Tigers (25-5) haven’t been the underdog in the state quarterfinals since 2022, when they turned a fifth seed into a fourth-place finish. Another fourth, a championship and a runner-up later, Cherry faces an uphill battle this year at No. 7. They’ll play No. 2 Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Target Center.

If Cherry upsets, we might see a Northern Minnesota match-up in the semifinals, if Red Lake County also moves on.

Grand Rapids (24-5) is also the seventh seed in 3A, drawing a tough opponent in No. 2 DeLaSalle. The Islanders are one of the top teams in the state regardless of class and are playing in their 15th consecutive tournament. They’ll face off 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at Williams Arena.

Tickets and other details for attendees are available in the Minnesota State High School League’s spectator guide.

The semifinal and championship games will be broadcast by Prep45. All other games can be streamed on NSPN with a subscription.

1. Robins love it when you go off-roading in snowy weather
2. Great Blue Herons wing their way north
3. Fire prompts evacuations of 3 Lutsen townhomes; Nearly 90 acres returned to Grand Portage Band
4. Bemidji rejects Northern Township's request to join forces in wastewater
5. 'Child Care is Community Infrastructure' panel discussion set in Bemidji